AR-16: Armalite's Lost Battle Rifle
Added 2025-12-22 12:00:13 +0000 UTC
Comments
Doubt the LA Pravda was making a legitimate pitch for better equipment for the men, unless it was some sort of dig at Nixon; even back then, the editorials started on page 1 and nobody w/ any sense took them at their word; more likely a Tribune or Examiner story...
Bruce Brodnax
2025-12-23 22:46:15 +0000 UTCBall detent push pins are very common in Aerospace (and fairchild was an aerospace joint). To me it looks like they might have actually modified a commercial pin with a custom sleeve for this, would make sense on a Prototype.
Trappes
2025-12-23 19:37:31 +0000 UTCbolt handle comes out like a Dunlop guitar strap lock...
WayneWiiki
2025-12-23 00:34:10 +0000 UTCI remember reading about this in one of Dad's old gun magazines - I think the author was able to shoot it on a new "combat" range at Pendleton? Very cool.
adam
2025-12-22 20:44:00 +0000 UTCDrippy 😎
Squid556
2025-12-22 17:52:08 +0000 UTCniiiice goodold 7six2
Guido Schriewer
2025-12-22 17:47:52 +0000 UTCThe AR-16, AR-18 and Stoner 63 systems represent high potential that was never realized due to politics/special interests of the time. I vaguely remember reading an article, I believe in the LA Times, back in the 60s, that a DOD study projected that if the Army switched to the AR-18, it would be much cheaper(and better in my opinion). The numbers for mass production were something like $260 per M-16 versus $180 per AR-18(M-17?). The Stoner 63 system would have netted HUGE savings over time and been better weapons. Of course, this is all just my 'not so humble' opinion. One of the "what ifs" of history.
Dana Arbeit
2025-12-22 15:39:52 +0000 UTCVery awesome! For years, I had heard about the AR-16, as the daddy of the AR-18/180. Details were almost non-existent; in that time I found one photo and one technical drawing, and that was it. This post has made my day!
Derek Elsberry
2025-12-22 15:31:50 +0000 UTCNow THAT is a cool rifle! Stoner's designs are always interesting.
LigerNoir
2025-12-22 13:23:10 +0000 UTCIts me. I am the market for this.
z c
2025-12-22 12:24:17 +0000 UTCPlease Brownells BRN-16 : )
Kenneth Marshall
2025-12-22 12:22:47 +0000 UTCThank you Ian. I always wanted more information and pics of these.
Kenneth Marshall
2025-12-22 12:20:41 +0000 UTC
